Psycopath Program's Head Psych Resigns

Dr. Michael Farnsworth, the head of the Minnesota's treatment program for sexual psychopaths has resigned, but he has denied that he's leaving due to the political furor over a proposal to move some offenders from the program into less restrictive settings. The proposed changes, which ignited a dispute in June between Gov. Tim Pawlenty and Attorney General Mike Hatch, included the eventual move of some sexual psychopaths to halfway houses or other state programs or into the community under state supervision.

The matter has been a political hot potato. Since the dispute erupted, Gov. Pawlenty has issued an executive order making it virtually impossible for sexual psychopaths to be released unless required by a judge or the law.

At a legislative hearing, Anita Schlank, former clinical director of the program, testified that she resigned in June because she felt the proposed changes were partly driven by cost concerns, and, if enacted, would put the community at risk.